Mistake marred Steelers lose in buffalo
Nov 19, 2023; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin talks with referee Shawn Hochuli (83) and line judge Tim Podraza (47) during the third quarter against the Cleveland Browns at Cleveland Browns Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Scott Galvin-USA TODAY Sports
With an extra day of preparation, the Pittsburgh Steelers lost a AFC Super Wildcard match -up against the Buffalo Bills 31-17. Marred in mistakes throughout the game, Pittsburgh dug themselves a 21-0 hole they were not able to overcome.
From the start, the Steelers didn’t seem prepared to play with the intensity required for playoff football. By the time they snapped out of it, Buffalo was off and running, while the the Black and Gold played catch-up.
While the temperature at kickoff was in the single digits, it didn’t seem to factor into either team’s offensive game plans. Buffalo came out the more confident team and put Pittsburgh on their heels with aggressive play calling. While The Steelers tried to ease into the game.
Offensive Turnovers
Turnovers killed several promising drives the Steelers had early on. A Goerge Pickens fumble led directly to points on the very next play. A Mason Rudolph interception in the endzone all but sealed the fate of the Steelers.
The Black and Gold were able to move the ball against Buffalo. Running the football was going to be a key, especially with the weather possibly coming into play. But falling behind so quickly and by so much, Pittsburgh had to abandon the run game that had been so good to them over the last 3 weeks of the season.
Rudolph didn’t have a horrible game throwing for 229 yards and two touchdowns. But the interception in the endzone was a back breaker. He had avoided the turnover bug in his first three starts leading up to the contest. That was a big part of the Steelers three game winning streak.
The Steelers fell back into the conservative play calling they had ditched in their late season climb. Not once did they take a shot deep down the field which may have opened things up in the run game or short passing game. With nothing to threaten the Bills down field, they were able to sit on underneath routes, which didn’t allow for much separation and caused Rudolph to be pinpoint with his accuracy.
Tackling Issues
Over the final three games of the season, Pittsburgh had been sure tacklers. Even with the injuries they had sustained,sure tackling helped them with those games.
Unfortunately, the law of averages, or maybe the injuries finally caught up with the Steelers. The Bills continuously gained yards after contact which led to them being able to sustain drives.
None hurt worse than Minkah Fitzpatrick’s missed tackle with just over 6 minutes left and Pittsburgh desperate for a stop.
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Fitzpatrick is one of the most sure tackling safeties in the NFL. That play was indicative of what the entire ball game was like on the defensive side.
The Bills pounded the Steelers on the ground for 179 yards rushing. Josh Allens 52 yard touchdown run showed that The Bills were just the more physical team.
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Preparation
This is not the only time preparation has come into question with the Steelers. Coming into the game on a three game winning streak and playing their best football of the season, it was unfathomable that Pittsburgh wouldn’t be ready to play. But that is exactly what we saw.
Tackling issues, turnover issues, and a seemingly lack of effort on defense are not what winning teams do when trying to win the Super Bowl. Conservative play calling when what got you here was opening things up was a recipe for disaster.
The Steelers did however fight offensively. Even with the conservative approach, they got within one score. Pickens, Pat Friermuth and Diontae Johnson combined for 14 catches on the day. Pickens in particular showed why he can be a star. Even with the early fumble, and hounded by tight coverage all game long, he made plays when given the opportunity.
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Not many gave the Steelers a chance to go on the road and pull off this upset. They need a few more calls to go their way that didn’t seem to do so. They also needed to be on their A game, which clearly they were not.
The attention now turns to the future of head coach Mike Tomlin and quarterback Kenny Pickett. Will both be back? Is there a quarterback competition? A lot of question will need to be answered in Pittsburgh this off-season. Going 10-7, making the playoffs in a division where all 4 teams had a winning record, the Steelers season can be looked upon as a successful one.
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